If you’re among the many homeowners looking to achieve complete energy efficiency throughout the home and lower monthly bills, a whole-house systems approach may be the best method to employ. By combining a variety of interdependent energy-saving ideas in your home, a long-term strategy can be devised that can greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency and put more money back in your pocket. Don’t sulk over a costly energy bill ever again. Instead, invest a little money up front to drastically reduce energy costs for years to come and spend your hard-earned money on more important things. With a whole-house approach to energy efficiency, any homeowner can save big on bills.
Seal Air Leaks
In the summer and winter months, cool or warm air can easily escape through leaks or cracks throughout the home. Over time, this can add up to a lot of cash being wasted and will greatly reduce your A/C unit’s life span by causing it to work that much harder to maintain a consistent indoor air temperature. Use caulking to seal air leaks found around window frames and consider purchasing door draft stoppers for your home’s entryways as well. If you believe air leaks are a problem in your home, but you’re having trouble locating the sources, contact a local contractor who can perform a blower door test or home energy audit. This in-depth look will help you develop a more effective whole-house energy saving strategy.
Improve Insulation
Having insulation for your home is a must, but you may also think about upgrading to insulation with a higher R-value. The R-value is determined by the insulation’s thermal resistance. In the summer, the best insulation will work well to keep heat from entering your home. In the winter, heat can be retained much easier, putting less stress on the heater and your wallet. For best results, ask a local contractor about having your home’s insulation upgraded to a higher R-value. Removing or installing insulation can be dangerous work, so it’s a good idea to allow a professional to take care of it for you.
Repair Ductwork and Remove Obstructions
Repairing ductwork or removing obstructions in your ventilation system can remove other obstacles that might stand in your way of achieving whole-house energy efficiency. Home renovation projects, shoddy construction jobs or even pests can be responsible for damaged air ducts. Sometimes a variety of construction materials and debris can end up in the home’s ventilation system, restricting the air flow through the house. An obstruction in the ductwork will only make the air conditioner or heater work harder than usual to circulate air through the home. If left unresolved, you may be looking at a costly A/C repair or replacement due to such an increased work load.
Consider Installing New Windows
If you live in an older house with windows that are cracking at the panes, considering purchasing more energy efficient models. Better windows will help maintain balanced humidity and improve indoor air quality by keeping the home air tight all year long. New windows will prove especially beneficial for saving money on heating costs in the winter as heat can escape through the smallest fissures in the home’s infrastructure. While applying caulking may help in some cases, it may be better to replace windows altogether, especially if the windows have been weathered down for some time.
Purchase Energy Star Appliances
Home appliances account for a large chunk of every homeowner’s monthly electric bill. To further boost your home’s energy efficiency, replace old appliances with new Energy Star models. This is possibly one of the most important components to developing a whole-house systems approach to energy efficiency. Outdated appliances tend to consume much more energy than today’s models, so think about throwing out that old toaster, microwave, washer or dryer and getting a few Energy-Star certified appliances. Replacing as many outdated appliances as possible can save you big bucks in the long term.
By applying these tips together and over a period of time, you can be well on your way to developing a comprehensive whole-house energy efficiency action plan. In no time at all you’ll begin to notice just how much money was being needlessly wasted. To learn more about whole-house energy efficiency, contact James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co. today. With more than 50 years experience serving clients all over Texas, our team is proud to have a reputation for providing excellent service to every customer.
